Elk Horn Brewery Vandalism Recovery Fund
Donation protected
Stephen Sheehan, owner of The Elk Horn Brewery (Elk Horn Brewery), needs your help. His business was targeted by rioters late Saturday night, July 25th, during protests in downtown Eugene, Oregon. This was the third time his business has suffered such attacks and vandalization in the last year. In addition, due to COVID-19, Elk Horn Brewery had been forced to close from mid-March to mid-May of 2020, and have since been able to operate with only limited capacity as Oregon slowly reopens for business from this global pandemic. Funds raised from this campaign will help to cover the expenses of repairing the damage from the vandalizations as well as help to shrink the gap between the current reduced revenue and the still ongoing expenses of operating a restaurant.
During the most recent disturbance, the rioters spray-painted, broke windows, and damaged signage at Stephen’s business. “The group moved quickly eastbound on Broadway to Elkhorn Brewing, where members of the group launched fireworks at the building, tagged it and broke several windows at about 11:24 PM. Employees were inside the building at the time and managed to escape safely as police moved into the area to prevent further damage or harm to life safety” (EPD, Facebook, July 26, 2020).
The Elk Horn Brewery is a small, family-owned business without large corporate resources needed to weather such repeated challenges. Stephen is a humble, hard-working, community-minded small-business owner, who has himself faced considerable personal adversity such as addiction, running from the law, homelessness, and a self-described fall from grace and burden to the law. He admits that in his youth most of his challenges were self-induced until he met his wife Colleen. Together they persevered as they built their dream of proudly owning the small brewery and restaurant. Despite how his own experiences have shaped his understanding and support for the homeless population, Stephen is now being mischaracterized by some as anti-homeless, with much of the recent acts of vandalism related to false narratives surrounding his efforts to bridge between the homeless population and local businesses and law enforcement.
Through their company, the Sheehans are passionately involved with such diverse groups, making it a priority to support those who have supported them. They actively contribute to the community by giving back and lifting others up. The Elk Horn Brewery has sponsored police benefits and non-profit charitable organizations, such as Chrysalis. The company combined forces with the Eugene Police Department the last four Thanksgivings to provide and deliver warm holiday meals to veterans. The Sheehans are not rich and entitled business owners; from nothing, they have worked hard to build their family business run with family values. This same type of character is represented in the positive way they interact with their community.
In addition to the general campaign needs for vandalism repairs amid the challenging COVID financial conditions, specific financial support requirements include preparation for possible future vandalism, improve security and surveillance systems, and repair and update existing signage. In-kind and other donated time or materials may help to reduce repair and operation costs for these campaign items. In addition to cash donations, this campaign also seeks to collect any materials for the construction repairs such as windows, specialized labor (such as donated time from electricians), advertising and marketing support, USDA certified meats, beer and wine, hops, and any other materials and supplies that can be donated to reduce costs as the Sheehans work to repair and rebuild The Elk Horn.
All donations will assist in the rebuilding of the facility and support the Sheehans’ efforts to thrive and serve all their guests, drawn from the entire, diverse community, including first responders and veterans. Stephen was homeless. Now, he feeds and employs the homeless. Please join in extending a helping hand to support this local small business. Thank you in advance for any help you can provide!
For additional information and first-hand comments from Stephen, please see the below video from Get Real with Rick Dancer (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u4apn6l1tsE).
Would you like to see why the owners are so devastated, click here https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=2692617814352282.
During the most recent disturbance, the rioters spray-painted, broke windows, and damaged signage at Stephen’s business. “The group moved quickly eastbound on Broadway to Elkhorn Brewing, where members of the group launched fireworks at the building, tagged it and broke several windows at about 11:24 PM. Employees were inside the building at the time and managed to escape safely as police moved into the area to prevent further damage or harm to life safety” (EPD, Facebook, July 26, 2020).
The Elk Horn Brewery is a small, family-owned business without large corporate resources needed to weather such repeated challenges. Stephen is a humble, hard-working, community-minded small-business owner, who has himself faced considerable personal adversity such as addiction, running from the law, homelessness, and a self-described fall from grace and burden to the law. He admits that in his youth most of his challenges were self-induced until he met his wife Colleen. Together they persevered as they built their dream of proudly owning the small brewery and restaurant. Despite how his own experiences have shaped his understanding and support for the homeless population, Stephen is now being mischaracterized by some as anti-homeless, with much of the recent acts of vandalism related to false narratives surrounding his efforts to bridge between the homeless population and local businesses and law enforcement.
Through their company, the Sheehans are passionately involved with such diverse groups, making it a priority to support those who have supported them. They actively contribute to the community by giving back and lifting others up. The Elk Horn Brewery has sponsored police benefits and non-profit charitable organizations, such as Chrysalis. The company combined forces with the Eugene Police Department the last four Thanksgivings to provide and deliver warm holiday meals to veterans. The Sheehans are not rich and entitled business owners; from nothing, they have worked hard to build their family business run with family values. This same type of character is represented in the positive way they interact with their community.
In addition to the general campaign needs for vandalism repairs amid the challenging COVID financial conditions, specific financial support requirements include preparation for possible future vandalism, improve security and surveillance systems, and repair and update existing signage. In-kind and other donated time or materials may help to reduce repair and operation costs for these campaign items. In addition to cash donations, this campaign also seeks to collect any materials for the construction repairs such as windows, specialized labor (such as donated time from electricians), advertising and marketing support, USDA certified meats, beer and wine, hops, and any other materials and supplies that can be donated to reduce costs as the Sheehans work to repair and rebuild The Elk Horn.
All donations will assist in the rebuilding of the facility and support the Sheehans’ efforts to thrive and serve all their guests, drawn from the entire, diverse community, including first responders and veterans. Stephen was homeless. Now, he feeds and employs the homeless. Please join in extending a helping hand to support this local small business. Thank you in advance for any help you can provide!
For additional information and first-hand comments from Stephen, please see the below video from Get Real with Rick Dancer (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u4apn6l1tsE).
Would you like to see why the owners are so devastated, click here https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=2692617814352282.
Organizer and beneficiary
Amy Burbee
Organizer
Eugene, OR
Colleen Sheehan
Beneficiary
